Real story of ‘that woman’
BBC2, 9.15pm THIS is the latest in Ryan Murphy’s gripping American Crime Story series, following ratings hits The Assassination Of Gianni Versace and The People Vs O.J. Simpson.
The 10-part drama delves into the escalating crisis that led to the first impeachment of a US president in more than a century – when Bill Clinton was accused of “high crimes and misdemeanours”. Seen through the eyes of the women at the centre of events, it stars Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky, Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp, Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones, and Clive Owen as Bill Clinton.
These were people thrust into the spotlight during a time of shifting sexual politics and a changing media landscape.
Beginning in 1998, the year of the impeachment, we see Monica ambushed by the FBI, accompanied by Linda, in the food court of a shopping mall.
“You’re in serious trouble, we just want to talk to you,” says an FBI agent. Monica has been betrayed by Linda, who has set her up to be questioned.
Then the action flashes back to 1993, when it was Linda who felt wronged, abruptly sidelined from her job in the White House.
She considers selling her story to sensation-hungry literary agent Lucianne Goldberg. Meanwhile, a bashful Paula Jones accuses Clinton of sexual harassment, claiming he exposed himself to her in a hotel room.
She explains: “I am disgusted, I am upset and I want an apology.”
Then we see how things snowball, with reports of Clinton’s affair with intern Lewinsky rocking the White House.
This is an interesting take on the whole affair – one from a uniquely female perspective.